Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2007-08: Reece Scarlett played for the Sherwood Park Bantam AAA team. He was chosen in the first round, 12th overall, of the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft by the Swift Current Broncos.

2008-09: Scarlett made his first WHL appearance, registering no points in 1 game.

2009-10: In his WHL rookie season, Scarlett played in 65 games for the Broncos. He scored 1 goal and added 10 assists for 11 points. In 4 playoff games, Scarlett notched 2 assists. Scarlett played for Team Pacific at the 2010 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, scoring 2 goals and adding 4 assists for 6 points in 5 games.

2010-11: In 72 games for the Broncos, Scarlett scored 6 goals and added 18 assists for 24 points to go along with 59 penalty minutes. Scarlett played for Team Orr at the 2011 CHL Home Hardware Top Prospects Game, notching 1 assist in his team’s 7-1 win over Team Cherry. Scarlett played for Canada at the 2011 U-18 World Junior Championship, registering no points in 7 games.

2011-12: Scarlett had a breakout season in his third year with the Swift Current Broncos; leading the team’s defensemen with 49 points and seeing a lot of ice time on one of the WHL Eastern Conference’s weaker teams. He scored 9 goals with 40 assists (both career-highs) in 71 games and was minus-14 with 74 penalty minutes. Swift Current missed the playoffs after finishing fifth in the East Division. Scarlett signed a three-year entry-level contract with New Jersey in September, 2012.

2012-13: Scarlett returned to Swift Current for his fourth WHL season. He was the Broncos’ top offensive defenseman; putting up big numbers in January and February after getting off to a slow start. Scarlett scored 9 goals with 40 assists in 67 games and was plus-14 with 66 penalty minutes. Swift Current finished third in the East Division and lost to Calgary in five games in a first-round playoff series. Scarlett had 3 assists and was minus-2 with 10 penalty minutes against the Hitmen.

2013-14: Scarlett skated in 48 games for New Jersey AHL affiliate Albany in his first pro season — missing time late in the year with an upper-body injury. He scored 6 goals with 14 assists and was plus-11 with 18 penalty minutes; scoring all six goals on the power play. Albany finished second in the Northeast Division and lost to eventual Calder Cup finalist St. John’s in a first-round playoff series. Scarlett did not play in any playoff games.

2014-15: Scarlett skated in 57 games for Devils’ AHL affiliate Albany in his second pro season — missing time early in the year due to injury. He scored 2 goals and was second to Brandon Burlon amongst Devils’ defensemen with 23 assists, finishing +1 with 27 penalty minutes. Albany was fourth in the Northeast Division, missing the AHL playoffs.

Talent Analysis

Scarlett’s game revolves around his mobility, puck distribution skills, and defensive zone awareness. He has some quality offensive skills — showing extreme confidence in his puck rushing ability and being assertive in the offensive zone. He uses his stick well while defending, especially off the rush, and is sound in his own end. While he has put on some weight and a little more muscle he will need to get stronger to withstand the rigors of the professional game.

Future

Scarlett is in the third-year of his original entry-level contract with New Jersey and is skating for the AHL's Albany Devils in 2015-16. With several young defensemen currently in New Jersey and veterans Marc-Andre Gragnani and Brandon Burlon plus prospect Steve Santini all likely to push for a spot in the near future Scarlett is in a tough spot. He projects as a puck moving, skating defenseman similar to current Devil Damon Severson. Whether he gets his NHL opportunity with New Jersey or elsewhere remains up in the air.

Photo: Forward Reid Boucher is one of the more promising forwards in the New Jersey Devils prospect pool. Boucher started the 2014-15 season in the AHL, but should be among the first forwards recalled by the Devils in case of injury. (courtesy of Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

Since the 2004 lockout, the New Jersey Devils system has not produced the same quality of prospects they were known for during their glory days. This is a result of different issues, like lack of picks, location on the draft board, or losing the magic touch to find late-round gems. But over the past seven years, management has slowly restocked the prospect pool where depth and quality are now returning NHL ready players.

Thanks to a few rookies stepping up last season, the New Jersey Devils feel comfortable to trust their prospects with bigger roles going forward. The change has already started on the blue line, but the transition with forwards might take a while.

Photo: Defenseman Steve Santini is one of several strong defensive prospects in the New Jersey Devils system. Santini was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NHL Draft. (courtesy of Richard T. Gagnon/Getty Images)

Stacked with 12 shootout loses and inconsistent play throughout the year, the New Jersey Devils missed the playoffs for the third time in four years. Once more, scoring was the culprit as the Devils failed to finish off their opponents when they had to in regulation.